TrailVault Power Calculator
TrailVault
Power Calculator
Tell us how you're using power and we'll calculate exactly what you need — panels, battery, and everything in between.
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Drop your email and we'll send your results — capacity recommendation, product links, and sizing notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I figure out what size power station I need?
The calculator estimates daily watt-hours (Wh) from your selected appliances and recommends a power station with enough usable capacity. Add appliances, set quantity, wattage, and hours, and the calculator sums your daily draw and matches it to a model that can cover it.
What's the difference between watts (W) and watt-hours (Wh)?
Watts measure how much power a device draws at one moment. Watt-hours measure energy over time (W × hours of use). A 100W bulb running for 5 hours uses 500Wh. Power stations are sized in Wh because what matters is how long they can run things, not just whether they can.
Does the calculator account for surge power?
Yes — recommendations consider both continuous wattage (steady draw) and surge requirements for motor-driven appliances (refrigerators, pumps, ACs, mini-splits). Surge spikes can be 2-3× the running wattage and last only seconds, but they must be supported or the inverter trips offline.
Why is the recommendation bigger than I expected?
The calculator assumes 100% continuous run time for every appliance. Real-world usage of cycling appliances (refrigerators, ACs, well pumps, mini-splits) is 30-40% lower because they cycle on and off. The pessimistic math is intentional — it's a safety margin so the station doesn't run out at the worst moment.
What if I need more capacity than the recommended unit holds?
If recommended watt-hours exceed the largest base unit, the calculator automatically suggests an expansion battery. The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus accepts up to 2× Battery Pack 3600 (10,752Wh total). The Explorer 5000 Plus accepts up to 4× Battery Pack 5000 Plus (25,200Wh total).
Can a portable power station run a window AC?
Yes, with enough surge and continuous capacity. A typical 8,000-10,000 BTU window AC draws ~900W continuous with a 2,000W startup surge. The Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (2,200W continuous, 4,400W surge) is the minimum. Larger window or portable ACs need the Explorer 3000 v2 or HomePower 3600 Plus.
How accurate are the default wattages?
Defaults are reasonable averages for common devices, but each card lets you override the wattage if you know your specific device's draw. For accuracy, check the appliance's label or user manual.
Does the calculator account for solar input?
Not directly. The calculator sizes the battery to cover daily draw. Solar input extends runtime by recharging during the day but isn't required for the recommendation to be valid. For solar sizing, see the System Build Helper.